Leica Cast Iron Expert - Living up to Life - Fast and Efficient Software for Cast Iron Analysis in Industry
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Living up to Life
Indus t r y Di v ision
Leica Cast Iron Expert
Fast and Efficient Software for Cast Iron Analysis in Industry
Comprehensive image analysis techniques
Leica Cast Iron Expert offers the user a comprehen- State of the art image processing is used to automa-
sive solution for the microscope analysis of Cast Iron. tically enhance and accurately detect the graphite
The user can be confident that the analysis process regions in the cast iron while the operator can
conforms to their individual particular laboratory always modify and confirm these. Results from the
requirements. Leica Cast Iron Expert is used for analysis may be used to qualify material to specifica-
ductile irons and incorporates industry standards tions determined between purchaser and manufactu-
including ASTM E247, ISO 945-2 and JIS5502. rer, for identification of variations in manufacturing
processes, or to provide data for research studies of
The analysis identifies graphite nodules and places the structure and property of cast iron.
these into shape and size classes. Additionally, the
Ferrite and Pearlite content of the sample may be
optionally assessed. The results from these separate
analyses can be combined to provide Ferrite and
Pearlite results adjusted for the graphite content.
Leica LAS CAST IRON Expert imaging environment 3 Efficient Imaging Environment Leica Cast Iron Expert evaluates high-quality images provided by the Leica Microscopy hardware. The Leica Application Suite (LAS) intelligently integrates the latest advances in automated microscopy, computing and digital image analysis. With a wide range of applications specifically de- signed for materials and metallurgy laboratories, it performs routine, yet sophisticated analytical tasks rapidly, efficiently, and economically. This common micro-imaging environment is used to provide solutions for many industry standard and custom materials applications such as grain, steel inclusion, phase and cleanliness analysis. These applications integrate the understanding of specialists in the field into ‘expert’ applications dedi- cated to these tasks. Leica Cast Iron Expert application software performs automatic, objective, and repeatable Cast Iron analysis simulating industry standards. This analysis is used in the evaluation of the properties of materials helping to determine the characteristics of a final product.
Leica CAST IRON Expert features 5
Automatic, Smart, and Reliable
Automatically identify CLASSIFY GRAPHITE TYPES AND Documentation of Results
GRAPHITE AND FERRITE DERIVED RESULTS
› Monochrome images of the graphite and › Measurements are made of the › Measurements of individual graphite
ferrite sample preparations are acquired individual nodules by measuring many nodules can be
using reflected brightfield microscopy hundreds within a second - displayed in tables
› After edge-sharpening, the graphite is › Graphite nodule types such as - shown as labels on the image
identified by a black threshold, its Vermicular, Irregular and Spheroidal › The graphite nodules can be coloured or
sensitivity can be interactively adjusted are classified by multiple form factors labelled according to the individual class
› Touching nodules of Spheroidal graphite › Tested values are provided and the user › A pie chart shows the percent
can be automatically separated can fine-tune these if required occurrence of each class averaged over
› Similarly, the ferrite is identified; in this › Graphite nodules are distributed into the specimen area measured
case a white threshold is used size classes based on the maximum › A histogram shows the percent area
› Spurious artefacts such as caused by diameter contributed by each size class
polishing debris can be removed by use › For the Ferrite image, the Area Percent › Measurement data and selected images
of image editing is immediately measured are exported into a Microsoft® Excel™
› Results are accumulated and averaged template
for the selected images › The template can be customized to meet
› Adjustments are made to the Ferrite the local documentation standards
and Pearlite area values to remove the › Data exported includes the reference
graphite contribution data, all raw data as well as all Cast
Iron measurement and field data
› Once the settings for the analysis have
been established they are saved so that
that can be recalled and immediately
applied in future
6 Leica CAST IRON Expert Benefits and advantages
More Benefits to save Time
LAS is designed to increase laboratory productivity and improve the accuracy of analysis
by imitating and automating many of the manual processes required for materials
analysis. As the analysis is objective, the results are inherently more reproducible.
Totally Integrated Solution Step-by-step operation Reproducibility
With the combination of Leica micro- The application quickly guides the user Obtain reproducible results by automati-
scopes, Leica digital cameras, image through the necessary image processing cally controlling imaging conditions with
analysis expertise and system automa- and analysis steps, producing consistent, motorised microscopes and cameras in
tion, you benefit from a truly integrated repeatable results with minimum effort. combination with predefined image
solution from one manufacturer. Once the workflow is defined, these processing settings.
settings can be recalled for repetitive
Versatile Reporting tasks. Confidence in Conformity
Report templates can be configured to Comfort for the operator Leica Microsystems' material application
laboratory requirements using Microsoft ®
solutions comply with the widest range of
Excel™. Results are stored along with LAS is simple to use due to its unified appropriate standards available including
images, allowing all elements of the data method of image acquisition, calibration ASTM, JIS, and ISO which gives users
to be recalled for detailed analysis. All and peripheral control. Image analysis increased confidence in their results.
your data is always available and reduces the tedium associated with Instrument Capability: Leica Cast Iron
traceable. manual measurements while providing Expert software performs calculations
improved statistical results. that derive measurement parameters from
digital images and follows procedures that
comply with the standards mentioned.*
*The accuracy of the measurements and the compliance of the entire system to these standards strongly depends on a) the optical, electronic, and mechanical components
used, b) the working conditions and sample preparation process, and c) the individual and specific interpretation of the results produced. These are the responsibility of the
user of the equipment, and Leica Microsystems disclaims any liability in that context.
Leica CAST IRON Expert Image AQUISITION 7 Precise Image Acquisition Fast and reproducible › The first stage of Cast Iron analysis is › LAS acquires calibrated images by › Images may be annotated with a to acquire a selection of digital images reading the magnification from the calibrated scale bar, customized to your using LAS and to save these to the microscope and the sensor size from choice of style, and labelled with time, computer’s hard drive. The advantage the camera to accurately determine date, image name and description. of this approach is that you always have the image dimensions. › Optionally, images are captured at the original images available to check › The imaging conditions such as micro- specified XY positions using a motorized your results later or to review the scope settings and camera exposure are stage to reduce bias in region selection. nodule classifications made directly on automatically recorded by the software. › Optionally, the microscope and cameras the image. The data is stored with the image and settings can be recalled from an existing › The ability of Leica Cast Iron Expert to can be used to monitor that consistent image ensuring the imaging conditions give precise results assumes, that the imaging conditions are used. match previous settings. sample chosen is a good representation › Images are named and acquired into a of the specimen being analyzed and Windows® folder from where they can has been prepared in a manner that easily be located. optimises the contrast of the graphite, ferrite and pearlite.
8 Leica CAST IRON Expert operation
Step by Step Operation
Convenient and reliable
1. Select graphite Images to placed into the size and shape classes. If 5. Results
Measure the image includes spurious graphite due
to preparation artefacts, Image Editing A summary of the results is displayed at
Simply browse to the folder containing the allows the operator to use the computer each step of the process and detailed
graphite images to be measured and mouse to remove these. The operator results can be shown as required. This
select them by clicking on the Thumbnail accepts the measurements by checking comprehensive detail is invaluable when
in the Gallery. The first of the selected the graphite classes that are displayed. close study of the materials is required.
images is displayed. The measurements are accumulated over
a representative set of images. 6. Reference Data
User and analysis reference information
can be added and customised to make the
results fully product and company specific.
The data entered is automatically trans-
2. Identify GRAPHITE ferred to the report.
4. MEASURE FERRITE and
The graphite is identified by means of its PEARLITE 7. SELECT STANDARD AND REPORt
black appearance and is shown as a
coloured mask superimposed over the The selection, identification, and measure- At this step the required standard is
image. The contrast threshold used can ment steps are repeated for the Ferrite selected. The choice will depend on the
be further refined to ensure that the mask images. In this case, the Ferrite is identi- local protocol of the laboratory. Reports
precisely identifies the graphite. For fied by means of its white appearance. are created using a Microsoft® Excel™
nodular graphite, touching nodules are The percent content of Ferrite and Pearlite template supplied with Cast Iron Expert
automatically separated. is measured immediately and the process and this can be customised to fit into the
repeated over a representative number of needs of the organisation. In addition to
images with the data averaged. the overview data shown on the report, the
entire detailed analysis results are stored
in the spreadsheet for further evaluation.
3. MEASURE GRAPHITE
The size and shape parameters of the
graphite are immediately measured and
Leica CAST IRON Expert Table of parameters 11
Table of Cast Iron Parameters
Measurements from the Graphite images
Total Specimen Area, mm2 The graphite image area
Graphite Area% Area% for each class and unclassified remainder in a Pie-chart
Graphite Count% Count% for each class and unclassified remainder
Graphite Count per mm2 Count per mm2 for each class and unclassified remainder
Graphite Size Number For Nodular Class showing percent of each size number in a histogram
Classification limits Using Form factors of Roundness, Compactness, Area/Equivalent Circle Area
Ratio Length/Breadth, Fibre Length/Breadth.
Using pre-set default values or user-defined values.
MEASUREMENTS ON FERRITE and PEARLITE IMAGES
Total Specimen Area, mm2 For the Ferrite/Pearlite images
Ferrite Area% Area% of region identified as Ferrite
Ferrite Area, mm2 Calibrated Area of region identified as Ferrite
Pearlite Area% Area% of region identified as Ferrite
Pearlite Area, mm2 Calibrated Area of region identified as Ferrite
SOFTWARE ORDERING INFORMATION
12 730 473 LAS Cast Iron Expert
12 730 218 LAS Image Analysis
12 730 074 LAS MultiStep
11 595 045 LAS Store & Recall
Microsoft® Excel™ is required for report generation
Optional complementary softwarewww.leica-microsystems.com
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LAS CAST IRON EXPERT - EN- • © Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG • CH-9435 Heerbrugg, 2011 • Designed in Switzerland – III.2012 – Illustrations, descriptions and technical data are not
binding and may be changed without notice. • LEICA and the Leica Logo are registered trademarks of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.You can also read
